Distributed via Email: December 21, 2009

ISBE POISED TO SUBMIT FEDERAL APPLICATION

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) is making the final preparations for submitting an application to the federal government for "Race to the Top" grant funds. The funds, over $4 billion to be distributed nation-wide, will flow through the federal Department of Education (DOE). If Illinois is chosen to receive a grant, the state could receive between $200 and $400 million. The application deadline for the ISBE is Jan. 19, 2010.

The DOE will be awarding grants to states that pledge to promulgate and enforce stringent new education reforms intended to improve student achievement. At least half of the "Race to the Top" funding will be directed to a state’s school districts that have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU includes a promise that the school district will implement additional education reforms as spelled out in the contract.

The ISBE has contacted school districts with specific information about Illinois’ grant application process. The Alliance has also distributed information to its members. Last week superintendents, principals, and school business officials received this information via e-mail. This week school board presidents will be receiving the information through the mail.

In the "Race to the Top" program, the federal government requires Illinois to identify the 5% of the State’s lowest performing schools. In Illinois, those will be referred to as "high priority schools". This list of schools was also made available by the ISBE last week.

The Memorandums of Understanding must be received in advance of the Jan. 19, 2010 application date. The ISBE is requesting that all MOUs are signed by the superintendent and submitted to the ISBE by Jan. 11. It is suggested that district superintendents consult with local legal counsel, the board of education and the local teachers’ association before executing the MOU. It is likely that official board action will be necessary; action that would have to take place at an official meeting of the school board.

RECENT LEGISLATIVE ACTION

Governor Pat Quinn recently signed into law SB 595 (Koehler, D-Peoria). It extends the Tax Increment Financing District in the Village of Bellevue to 35 years. The bill is now Public Act 96-0837, effective Dec. 16, 2009.

RECENTLY INTRODUCED BILLS

HB 4711 (Eddy, R-Hutsonville) provides that no school district is obligated to comply with any statutory or regulatory mandate or requirement unless a separate appropriation has been enacted into law providing funding for the school year during which such mandate is required. If the amount appropriated to fund the mandate is insufficient to fully fund the mandated activity, the school district may choose to discontinue or modify the activity to assure that the cost of compliance does not exceed the funding received. The bill is the result of many Alliance members speaking to their legislators about the continuing onslaught of unfunded mandates on school districts.

HB 4674 (Eddy) is an Alliance initiative that is a viable alternative to the State of Illinois entering into a national Military Compact (please refer to Alliance Legislative Report 96-37).

The bill addresses the issues faced by parents who serve in the military who transfer into new states and school districts, but allows any problems to be solved by state law and local school districts instead of granting that authority to a federal panel. The bill includes provisions regarding student placement, immunization requirements, graduation requirements, course transfers, and student record transfers. It also requires the State Board of Education to review the initial rulemakings of the Military Compact, and each year thereafter, and to recommend changes, if necessary, to Illinois law that shall support the removal of barriers to educational success for children of military families in the state.

This legislative report is written and edited by the lobbyists of the Illinois Association of School Boards to provide information to the members of the organizations that comprise the Illinois Statewide School Management Alliance.

Alliance Legislative Reports are Cosponsored by IASB and:
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